Thibaut Courtois: Real Madrid, Belgium goalkeeper 'ruptures internal meniscus' in fresh injury setback

Thibaut Courtois' injury nightmare has continued as the Real Madrid goalkeeper is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 31-year-old was closing in on a comeback, but his club have revealed he "ruptured internal meniscus in his right knee" in a training session on Tuesday.

The statement read: "Following tests carried out today, Thibaut Courtois has been diagnosed with a ruptured internal meniscus in his right knee. The injury occurred during today's training session. The injury will be monitored."

He has not played competitively since June last year after tearing his ACL in August.

The latest problem means he is likely to miss the rest of the 2023/24 campaign, although Real are yet to confirm how long the Belgian international will be out for.

The news will come as a major blow to Los Blancos, who are eight points clear at the top of the La Liga while also hoping to add a record-extending 15th European Cup to their trophy cabinet later this season.

They have been drawn against defending champions Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, and will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich if they reach the last four.

Courtois could have been picked for the tie against Pep Guardiola's side, after Carlo Ancelotti revealed he would be available for selection after the current international break.

Speaking earlier this week, the manager had said the goalkeeper "will play two friendlies against the youth team, and, yes, I think they [alongside Eder Militao] can make it.

"The idea is that they will be available on the 31st, against Athletic, but we won’t risk anything, that’s more than clear to us."

That plan will now be on hold though, and it will also put Belgium on high alert, given Euro 2024 in Germany get underway on June 14.

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